Site Selection Decision Research Articles

Oviposition Site Selection inAedes albopictus(Diptera: Culicidae): Are the Effects of Predation Risk and Food Level Independent?

For organisms lacking parental care and where larval dispersal is limited, oviposition site selection decisions are critical fitness-enhancing choices. However, studies usually do not consider the interdependence of the two. In this study, we evaluated the effect of food level on the oviposition behavior of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in the presence or the absence of a nonlethal predator (caged dragonfly nymph). We also attempted to quantify the perceived cost of predation to ovipositioning mosquitoes. Mosquitoes were presented with oviposition cups containing four levels of larval food (fermented leaf infusion) with or without a caged libellulid nymph. By titrating larval food, we estimated the amount of food needed to attract the female mosquito to oviposit in the riskier habitat. As expected, oviposition rate increased with food level and decreased in the presence of a predator. However, the effect of food level did not differ between predator treatments. By calculating the difference in the amount of food for points of equal oviposition rate in the predator-present and predator-absent regression lines, we estimated the cost of predation risk to be 1950 colony-forming-units per milliliter. Our study demonstrated the importance of considering the possible interdependence of predation risk and food abundance for oviposition-site-seeking insects. This study also quantified the perceived cost of predation and found it to be relatively low, a fact with positive implications for biological control.

Interstate competition in the US South for South Korean auto investments: a US perspective

Multinational corporations (MNCs) recognize the importance of optimizing their international site-selection decision(s). Similarly, host regions recognize the potential economic benefits of securing ‘greenfield’ investment projects. Thus, there is intense intra-regional competition to secure ‘trophy investments’. The extant research offers little insight to the very final stages of the site-selection negotiation process. No previous study has examined in detail the final stages of international site-selection negotiations involving South Korean MNCs. This paper focuses on the role of US government officials and Southern state stakeholders seeking to secure investments by Hyundai Motors and Kia Motors. It offers an exploratory eclectic theory to explain site-selection decisions.

Site Selection of Mechanical Parking System Based on GIS with AFRARBMI

In order to rationalize the site-selection of urban mechanical parking system and relieve the traffic congestion after its completion, this paper proposes a decision method. the attribute data of the site-selection of urban mechanical parking system is established on the basis of the GIS analysis method. Then the relationship between the site-selection and multiple geographical factors are explored by the algorithm for mutual information fuzzy-rough attribute reduction and the Rough Set theory. Finally, the attribute reduction is carried out; thereby, an inductive learning method combined with GIS analysis and deductive reasoning is used to generate the decision trees and decision rules and conduct evaluation and analysis for the site-selection decision. Modeling and simulation for the site-selection of mechanical parking system are put into practice in Lanzhou City. The simulation results show that this method can solve the problem better. It also provides reference for the intelligent transportation system. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/telkomnika.v11i7.2843 Full Text: PDF

Scheme Comparison of New Airport Site Selection Based on Lattice Order Decision Making Method in the Integrated Transportation System

In view of the limited rational decision made by decision-makers in reality, multi-objective Lattice Order Decision Making is introduced in the new airport site selection and Lattice Order Decision evaluation index system is constructed. Based on the types of index, processed the index into dimensionless, Integrate decision-makersâ?? subjective judgment and the data dispersion feature to calculate the relative weights of the evaluation index. Combined with Decision-making moment, calculate the value of comprehensive differences of the schemes, and realize the Lattice Ordering of the schemes. Apply this decision-making method to evaluate three sets of alternative airport site selection schemes in Chengdu. The outcome is consistent with the actual situation, which proved that the decision-making method is reasonable.

Retail Store Location Selection Problem with Multiple Analytical Hierarchy Process of Decision Making an Application in Turkey

Retailers are the most powerful actors of the distribution channels with proximity to consumers and potential to create market. Retail store site selection is a strategic decision, both in terms of customer satisfaction and profitability of the company to changing market conditions and intense competition. Retail site selection decision is a long-term investment. Long-term investment decisions are difficult and costly to change. Retail store site selection is a process that must be followed carefully in order to pass ahead of the competition. In this process, election-related data collection and scientific analysis, and decisions must be made in the light of these data. Therefore, in the process of taking decisions managers use scientific methods to provide significant benefits in decision making. Administrators must also consider the combination of several criteria in the selection of retail store location. This problem is complex and has multi-criteria decision-making structure. Such a decision can be modelled analytically.In this study, selection of retail store concept in the literature has been identified, the studies that has been dealt with the problem of the selection of retail store, were examined. A retail store location selection criteria was defined. Selection model was established with the AHP method. The study was applied in the Aygın Milk Inc. The aim of the study, for the managers of the company to decide to use both qualitative and quantitative approach. The goal is to choose the most appropriate location of retail stores in real business life.

Dynamic Reserve Selection: Optimal Land Retention with Land-Price Feedbacks

Urban growth compromises open space and ecosystem functions. To mitigate the negative effects, some agencies use reserve selection models to identify conservation sites for purchase or retention. Existing models assume that conservation has no impact on nearby land prices. We propose a new integer program that relaxes this assumption via adaptive cost coefficients. Our model accounts for the two key land price feedbacks that arise in markets where conservation competes with development: the amenity premium and price increases driven by shifts in market equilibriums. We illustrate the mechanics of the proposed model in a real land retention context. The results suggest that in competitive land markets, the optimal conservation strategy during the initial phase of the retention effort might be to use available dollars to buy fewer parcels with smaller total area that are under high risk of development. We show that failure to capture the land-price feedbacks can lead to significant losses in biological conservation. The present study is the first to create a reserve selection model that captures the economic theory of competitive land markets in a dynamic framework, produces tangible, parcel-level conservation recommendations, and works on problems with thousands of potential site selection decisions and several planning periods.

COMPLETE STREETS & LIVABLE CENTERS

INTRODUCTION In recent years, Houston has made great strides in green building, moving into the top ten nationally on both LEED certified and Energy Star rated structures. At the same time, fewer steps have been taken to address transportation, which accounts for one third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. 3 To achieve greater sustainability, architects, planners, and developers must take the space between buildings into greater account. As in other metropolitan areas, Houston's commercial developers and property owners are continuing to embrace green building standards, particularly the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard for new construction. As a result, new offices, schools, institutions, and commercial buildings are increasingly efficient, incorporating a full array of technologies to minimize energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. These are major steps in the right direction, but we can and must do more. Individuals spend only part of their day in any given home, office, school, or other facility. They must also travel between other locations. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in 2009, approximately one-third of GHG emissions came from buildings and another one-third came from transportation. If we are to reduce total GHG emissions, it will not be enough to address only buildings. The (lack of) proximity of these daily destinations to one another is a significant driver of the energy consumption and emissions of travel. Further, the quality of the public infrastructure between destinations directly affects which travel modes are available. Destinations that are well-connected by wide sidewalks, bike lanes, or transit—complete streets—are likely to be reached on foot, bike, or transit. Distances that are connected only by auto-oriented roads or highways are likely to be traversed in cars. LEED for New Construction offers 17 (out of 110) points that are related to location of a building or the transportation options serving it. 4 However, none of these points is mandatory and in many cases they can be earned too easily. For example, points are available if there is any bus or other transit stop within 1/4 mile of a project, without regard for the frequency that buses stop there or whether the connectivity that would allow someone to get from the stop to the project site exists. In order to create greener buildings, it behooves developers and others making site-selection decisions to locate new buildings in or near existing activity centers, to take advantage of proximity to other destinations, and to help enable transit service, which works best where there's density. Getting the location right is especially important for new public facilities, including civic buildings, health clinics, schools, community and senior centers, etc. Second, it behooves owners of existing buildings and local jurisdictions to work together to retrofit streets (in the same way one might retrofit an older building) to make them complete, adding safe and convenient facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. By increasing density and completing street infrastructure, we can reinforce existing locations into livable centers, increasing travel options and reducing auto dependence.

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM-BASED MODELING AND ANALYSIS FOR SITE SELECTION OF GREEN MUSSEL, Perna viridis, MARICULTURE IN LADA BAY, PANDEGLANG, BANTEN PROVINCE

Green mussel is one of important species cultured in Lada Bay, Pandeglang. To provide a necessary guidance regarding green mussel mariculture development, finding suitable site is an important step. This study was conducted to identify suitable site for green mussel mariculture development using geographic information system (GIS) based models. Seven important parameters were grouped into two submodels, namely environmental (water temperature, salinity, suspended solid, dissolve oxygen, and bathymetry) and infrastructural (distance to settlement and pond aquaculture). A constraint data was used to exclude the area from suitability maps that cannot be allowed to develop green mussel mariculture, including area of floating net fishing activity and area near electricity station. Analyses of factors and constraints indicated that about 31% of potential area with bottom depth less than 25 m had the most suitable area. This area was shown to have an ideal condition for green mussel mariculture in this study region. This study shows that GIS model is a powerful tool for site selection decision making. The tool can be a valuable tool in solving problems in local, regional, and/or continent areas.

Group Living Enhances Individual Resources Discrimination: The Use of Public Information by Cockroaches to Assess Shelter Quality

In group-living organisms, consensual decision of site selection results from the interplay between individual responses to site characteristics and to group-members. Individuals independently gather personal information by exploring their environment. Through social interaction, the presence of others provides public information that could be used by individuals and modulates the individual probability of joining/leaving a site. The way that individual's information processing and the network of interactions influence the dynamics of public information (depending on population size) that in turn affect discrimination in site quality is a central question. Using binary choice between sheltering sites of different quality, we demonstrate that cockroaches in group dramatically outperform the problem-solving ability of single individual. Such use of public information allows animals to discriminate between alternatives whereas isolated individuals are ineffective (i.e. the personal discrimination efficiency is weak). Our theoretical results, obtained from a mathematical model based on behavioral rules derived from experiments, highlight that the collective discrimination emerges from competing amplification processes relying on the modulation of the individual sheltering time without shelters comparison and communication modulation. Finally, we well demonstrated here the adaptive value of such decision algorithm. Without any behavioral change, the system is able to shift to a more effective strategy when alternatives are present: the modification of the spatio-temporal distributions of individuals leading to the collective selection of the best resource. This collective discrimination implying such parsimonious and widespread mechanism must be shared by many group living-species.

The influence of paleofloods on archaeological settlement patterns during A.D. 1050–1170 along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

Abstract Excavations at four archaeological sites consisting of the material remains of A.D. 1050–1170 era farmers along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park, yield geomorphic information used to address questions related to settlement patterns. Archaeological excavation units, test pits, feature fill, and natural exposures contain sediments used to interpret geomorphic history that can, in turn, shed light on archaeological site selection in a challenging environment. The Grand Canyon experiences dramatic geomorphic events such as catastrophic floods and destructive debris flows that are preserved in the stratigraphic record, and can be used to understand cultural/landscape interactions. By combining new geomorphic, stratigraphic, and archaeological data collected during recent excavations with results from previous geomorphic and sediment transport studies, observed trends can be interpreted regarding the possible influence of paleofloods on past settlement patterns. For example, at each of the four sites, reconstructed paleoflood elevations (from existing HEC-RAS virtual shorelines), flood recurrence intervals, site layout, and site stratigraphy/geomorphic setting suggests a temporal trend in site location. The two early sites (Early Pueblo II period: A.D. 1050–1080) contain habitation features located above the approximately 6–8 year high flood (3500 cubic meters per second [cms]) recurrence interval; larger floods (4800 to 5900 cms) of a longer recurrence interval between 40 and 80 years inundate these features. The two later sites in the sample (Late Pueblo II; A.D. 1080–1170) contain habitation features located well above the 40–80 year recurrence high flows. We suggest that early farmers (Early Pueblo II period: A.D. 1050–1080) may not have had adequate experience with flood magnitudes and frequencies and therefore their habitation structures were located in risk-prone areas relatively close to the river. Later habitations (Late Pueblo II; A.D. 1080–1170) were positioned in more protected areas further from the river, perhaps reflecting an acquired knowledge of river dynamics. These trends, although currently based on a limited data set, provide insights into site selection decisions and settlement patterns of early farmers along the Colorado River through Grand Canyon.

A latent segmentation approach to a Kuhn–Tucker model: An application to recreation demand

In this paper, we extend the latent segmentation approach to the Kuhn–Tucker (KT) model. The proposed approach models heterogeneity in preferences for recreational behavior, using a utility theoretical framework to simultaneously model participation and site selection decisions. Estimation of the latent segmentation KT model with standard maximum likelihood techniques is numerically difficult because of the large number of parameters in the segment membership functions and the utility function for each latent segment. To address this problem, we propose the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm to estimate the model. In the empirical section, we implement the EM latent segmentation KT approach to analyze a Southern California beach recreation data set. Our empirical analysis suggests that three groups exist in the sample. Using the model to analyze two hypothetical beach management policy scenarios illustrates different welfare impacts across groups.

Combining AHP with GIS for landfill site selection: A case study in the Lake Beyşehir catchment area (Konya, Turkey)

Landfills are the most common method for the disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Turkey. However, determining the location of landfill sites is a difficult and complex process because it must combine social, environmental and technical parameters. Additionally, it depends on several criteria and regulations. The main objective of this study was to select of a landfill site for the Lake Beyşehir catchment area. The Beyşehir Lake is the largest freshwater lake and drinking water reservoir in Turkey, but there is no controlled landfill site in the region. Therefore, the landfill site should be determined such that the lake is protected. To determine the most suitable landfill site, an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was combined with a geographic information system (GIS) to examine several criteria, such as geology/hydrogeology, land use, slope, height, aspect and distance from settlements, surface waters, roads, and protected areas (ecologic, scientific or historic). Each criterion was evaluated with the aid of AHP and mapped by GIS. Data were assorted into four suitability classes within the study area, i.e., high, moderate, low and very low suitability areas, which represented 3.24%, 7.55%, 12.70% and 2.81%, of the study area, respectively. Additionally, 73.70% was determined to be completely unsuitable for a landfill site. As a result, two candidate landfill sites are suggested and discussed. The final decision for landfill site selection will require more detailed field studies.

National-scale wave energy resource assessment for Australia

Abstract A nationally consistent wave resource assessment is presented for Australian shelf ( −1 (90th percentile of 60–78 kW m −1 ), delivering 800–1100 GJ m −1 of energy in an average year. New South Wales and southern Queensland shelves, with moderate levels of wave power (time-average: 10–20 kW m −1 ; 90th percentile: 20–30 kW m −1 ), are also potential sites for electricity generation due to them having a similar reliability in resource delivery to the southern margin. Time-average wave power for most of the northern Australian shelf is −1 . Seasonal variations in wave power are consistent with regional weather patterns, which are characterised by winter SE trade winds/summer monsoon in the north and winter temperate storms/summer sea breezes in the south. The nationally consistent wave resource assessment for Australian shelf waters can be used to inform policy development and site-selection decisions by industry.

An Analysis of Urban Land Development Using Multi-Criteria Decision Model and Geographical Information System (A Case Study of Babolsar City)

Problem Statement: The unplanned physical expansion of cities has been one of the most important problems of urban management in developing countries. Iran, like other developing world has experienced a high level of urbanization growth which transformed the physical fabric of urban areas. North of Iran is one of most rapid growing region of the country where the moderate climate and a tourism based economy encouraged many developers to investigate in housing sector. So, the primary outcome of such process was the out-growth of the city boundaries in the region. Approach: This research attempted to present an appropriate model for urban physical development. The study used different parameters such as environmental and socio-economic factors to provide a good understanding of the city behavior in its geographical setting. Through applying the Multi-Criteria Decision Model (MCDA) and GIS, the most appropriate area introduced for near future development. Results: The results revealed that the integrated GIS and MCDA model has many potentials which allow the planner or user investigate the final decision for site selection for future urban physical development. Conclusion: Since the city is located in a fertile agricultural area where the general policy of the local government is to save the lands for strategic crops like rice, to select the right site for city development is quiet significant.

Hierarchical Fuzzy Systems for Function Approximation on Discrete Input Spaces With Application

This paper investigates the capabilities of hierarchical fuzzy systems to approximate functions on discrete input spaces. First, it is shown that any function on a discrete space has an arbitrary separable hierarchical structure and can be naturally approximated by hierarchical fuzzy systems. As a by-product of this result, a discrete version of Kolmogorov's theorem is obtained; second, it is proven that any function on a discrete space can be approximated to any degree of accuracy by hierarchical fuzzy systems with any desired separable hierarchical structure. That is, functions on discrete spaces can be approximated more simply and flexibly than those on continuous spaces; third, a hierarchical fuzzy system identification method is proposed in which human knowledge and numerical data are combined for system construction and identification. Finally, the proposed method is applied to the market condition performance modeling problem in site selection decision support and shows the better performance in both accuracy and interpretability than the regression and neural network approaches. In additions, the reason and mechanism why hierarchical fuzzy systems outperform regression and neural networks in this type of application are analyzed.

Ethical, Social, and Cultural Considerations for Site Selection for Research with Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

Recent advances in technology have made strategies for disease control using genetically modified (GM) vectors more plausible. Selecting an appropriate field site for research with GM mosquitoes may be one of the most complex and significant aspects of the research process. Among the key considerations of the process is the need to address ethical, legal, and cultural (ESC) issues. No guidelines have been developed to date for this complicated and sensitive process. In this paper, we describe a site selection process and a set of preliminary considerations for addressing the ESC aspects of a research program involving genetic strategies for the control of mosquitoes as vectors for dengue viruses. These considerations reflect some of the key ESC issues for site selection decisions for research with GM vectors.

Assessing Site Selection Criteria for Taiwan Lantern Festival by Analytic Hierarchy Process

Lantern Festival is the most important cultural event in Chinese ethnic society. With a tremendous economic and tourism value brought by the event activities, Taiwan cities are actively participating the bidding to host Taiwan Lantern Festival. Event site selection is arguably a complex issue because of a multitude of variables that are needed to be taken into consideration. Therefore, Delphi method and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) are used to develop an evaluation hierarchy for Taiwan Lantern Festival site selection. The proposed model not only provides the site selection criteria but also determines their relative importance of different criteria in influencing site selection decisions. Results show that tourism attraction and visitors' needs are the most important factors for selecting Taiwan Lantern Festival site and other important factors according to the rank of their weights are site environment, accessibility, and local support. The factors identified have implications for management practice, for site decision making by Taiwan Visitor Bureau and event organizers.

Ethanol Plant Location Determinants and County Comparative Advantage

The location of ethanol plants is determined by infrastructure, product and input markets, fiscal attributes of local communities, and state and federal incentives. This empirical analysis uses probit regression along with spatial clustering methods to analyze investment activity of ethanol plants at the county level for the lower U.S. 48 states from 2000 to 2007. The availability of feedstock dominates the site selection decision. Other factors, such as access to navigable rivers or railroads, product markets, producer credit and excise tax exemptions, and methyl tertiary-butyl ether bans provided some counties with a comparative advantage in attracting ethanol plants.

Ethanol Plant Location Determinants and County Comparative Advantage

The location of ethanol plants is determined by infrastructure, product and input markets, fiscal attributes of local communities, and state and federal incentives. This empirical analysis uses probit regression along with spatial clustering methods to analyze investment activity of ethanol plants at the county level for the lower U.S. 48 states from 2000 to 2007. The availability of feedstock dominates the site selection decision. Other factors, such as access to navigable rivers or railroads, product markets, producer credit and excise tax exemptions, and methyl tertiary-butyl ether bans provided some counties with a comparative advantage in attracting ethanol plants.

AN INDIVIDUAL‐BASED MODEL FOR TRADITIONAL FORAGING BEHAVIOR: INVESTIGATING EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL FLUCTUATION

AbstractWe present an individual‐based model to simulate the evolution of traditional foraging strategies in a fluctuating environment. The parameters and procedures are based on observed behavior of barnacle geese,Branta leucopsis, during spring staging off the coast of Helgeland, Norway. Within a temporally and spatially heterogeneous environment, goose movement is modeled according to state‐dependent site selection decisions that maximize food intake. The aim of each individual is to optimize fitness (survival and reproduction) by gaining enough food (energy reserves) during 3 weeks of foraging to meet a threshold of energy necessary for successful reproduction. The geese return to the same islands each year and on a daily basis choose unoccupied sites according to their rank in the population‐structured dominance hierarchy, memories of previously visited sites (tradition), past reproductive success, inherited genetic influence towards site faithfulness and/or site quality, and knowledge of the available biomass density. It is assumed that with each subsequent return to a specific location, increased familiarity of the area will benefit an individual through greater food acquisition by more efficient foraging practices. In the event of variable environmental conditions, geese are faced with a critical decision to return to previously visited sites or abandon tradition to explore for something better. It is shown that habitat quality plays an integral role in population dynamics. Beyond the scope of this paper, the evolution of foraging strategies that directly affect reproductive potential is shown to inevitably determine the resilience of the population over time (Kanarek [2006]). Further experiments are required for detailed results and analysis of specific circumstances that provoke the adaptation of certain behaviors. In general, this modeling approach has the potential to reveal significant insight into the emergence of stable responses to environmental disturbance.